MONMOUTH – A single phrase came to mind for most residents at a public hearing Monday night while reading the referendum they are going to consider on March 14: deja vu.
Residents stressed concerns that the referendum regarding the Police Department, like the one that was voted on just a year ago, was again too open-ended.
Taxpayers yelled from the historic seats of Cumston Hall that the wording of the ballot was deceiving and may cause voters to be confused.
“There are three issues wrapped in one vote,” a resident yelled from the back of the room.
Acting Town Manager Paul Bird said he drafted the referendum and checked with the Maine Municipal Association.
“There is no problem with the way it is worded,” he said. “If you choose to dissolve the Police Department and have the county take over, you vote You agree to contract’ and if you want to keep the local Police Department, you vote You do not agree with contract.’
Taxpayers asked if it was too late to change the wording, and were told it was and that changing the wording would result in changing the voting day as well.
The referendum can be found at www.townofmonmouth.com
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